BM-70 attack UAV in a special operation
A BM-70 on its launcher. Photo: Telegram / "Diary of a Paratrooper"
In recent years, the Russian army has received a number of shock dronesOne of the latest developments is the BM-70. Apparently, it incorporates some fairly modern technologies, and in recent months, these aircraft have repeatedly engaged ground targets, including equipment at airfields.
Let's clarify the sources right away, because we can't do without them any further. Almost everything we know about the BM-70 comes from Russian Telegram channels and a single Ministry of Defense report. Only a portion of its characteristics have been officially confirmed; the results of specific strikes have not been independently verified. Keep this in mind, because I won't mention it again in this text.
documentary footage
In mid-January 2026, footage of an unknown type of attack UAV being used in combat, filmed by its own camera, became publicly available. Individual structural elements were captured in the footage, and initial designs were developed based on these elements: it is possible that this is an Italmas series UAV, either a known or a new modification.
Clarity emerged at the end of the month, when the Telegram channel "North Wind" posted new material. It was the first to identify the designation—BM-70—and reveal some technical details.
The new videos showed strikes on ground targets. A particular attack on an airfield near Myrhorod in the Poltava region was highlighted. According to Russian publications (particularly RT), several BM-70s hit equipment, including parked Ukrainian Su-27s and F-16s. The drones' cameras filmed almost up to the moment of impact. An important caveat here: objective control footage shows the approach to the target, not the final damage, and it can't always distinguish a real aircraft from a mockup. Independent confirmation of losses, such as from satellite imagery, was not available at the time of publication.
A BM-70 UAV approaches a target, filmed with a standard camera, January 2026. Photo: Telegram / "North Wind"
The BM-70 surfaced in publications several more times afterward, and new footage emerged. It's likely that only isolated incidents were revealed, and the actual number of launches was higher, but that's a matter of conjecture.
On July 1, the Ministry of Defense officially announced the BM-70 drones and their crews for the first time. A two-minute report featuring service members of an unnamed company of unmanned systems troops from the Center group was released.
The video showed the spacecraft's preparation for launch and takeoff, the operators' work in flight and during target acquisition, as well as footage from the onboard camera and footage of objective control with target engagement.
The military cited mobility, deployment speed, and the ability to strike various ground targets, including fortified ones, as the system's advantages. They said the system is used regularly.
Striking tool
Little is known about the new attack UAV. There's no information about the developer or when the project began. It's only known that the BM-70 is in serial production and is already in military use. Since the devices were already in serial use by January, production must have begun significantly earlier than the first images, presumably no later than the end of last year. However, there's no basis for claiming that the device has passed "all required tests" and has been formally accepted into service: such information is simply not publicly available.
A strike UAV over the Mirgorod airfield, January 2026. Photo: Telegram / Severny Veter
It appears the BM-70 was developed during the current conflict, drawing on the experience of other unmanned systems. Moreover, it appears they weren't just focusing on flight performance; operational ease and crew safety were also important.
The complex is built according to a scheme traditional for such systems and includes:
- UAV BM-70;
- a launcher based on a pneumatic catapult;
- Remote Control;
- auxiliary means and devices;
- motor transport.
The BM-70 is a flying wing aircraft and is similar in appearance to many modern aircraft, both domestic and foreign. Only the forward fuselage, with its engine mount, protrudes beyond the delta wing; the wingtips have vertical surfaces. The airframe appears to be plastic. It can be disassembled for transport.
The exact weight and dimensions have not been officially disclosed. Based on available footage, the length and wingspan can be estimated at 2–2,5 meters. Experts associate the BM-70 with a development of the Italmas (BM-35) series. If the BM-35 designation of the Italmas coincides with its takeoff weight (~35 kg), then by analogy, the "70" in BM-70 could indicate around 70 kg. However, this is purely a guess based on analogy; there is no direct confirmation.
A moment before the enemy aircraft was shot down. Photo: Telegram / "North Wind"
Judging by the available footage, the aircraft is equipped with a four-cylinder internal combustion engine (ICE) with a two-bladed propeller in the nose, and the engine specifications themselves are officially classified. Speed has to be estimated indirectly, based on aerodynamics and engine type: approximately 200–220 km/h. This figure is calculated, not specified, but is quite typical for this class. Similar aircraft typically have a cruising speed of 150–180 km/h, with a maximum speed of around 220.
According to official Ministry of Defense data, the range is up to 100 km. This is sufficient to reach targets deep in the operational zone, such as warehouses, radar stations, and command posts. In practice, this range, of course, fluctuates depending on conditions.
The system is equipped with a video camera for search and targeting, an autopilot capable of remote control, and jam-resistant communications. The vehicle is controlled by the operator for most of its flight, and can be guided to its target using automatic tracking. Secure communications channels and automatic target tracking during the final leg reportedly reduce its vulnerability to GPS/GLONASS jamming.
The warhead's parameters are not disclosed. It is only known that it destroys equipment and structures, including reinforced concrete ceilings; estimates suggest it carries a high-explosive fragmentation charge weighing tens of kilograms. Different warhead types are also possible.
The system is transported to the launch site by vehicle, then the launcher is deployed and the vehicle is assembled. According to a Ministry of Defense report, launch preparation takes no more than 10 minutes; a prepared runway is not required; an area with a radius of at least 20 meters is sufficient. The crew can also pack up and leave the site in just a few minutes.
A strike on a foreign fighter jet. Photo: Telegram / Severny Veter
Place in the weapons system and limitations
So, by the beginning of this year, or likely even earlier, a new strike vehicle had arrived in the unmanned systems forces. According to available footage, BM-70s are operating in various sectors of the front.
Its very existence speaks volumes: industry is capable of bringing new drones into production to meet the army's needs. However, I can't speculate on the actual development timeline, as we simply don't know the project's starting point.
The BM-70's class occupies a niche between light loitering munitions like the Italmas and heavy long-range drones like the Geran-2. It differs from the former in its larger size and range, while being inferior to the latter in both respects. Hence its role—to complement existing equipment, taking on strikes in the immediate rear. Its nominal range is up to 100 km, but typical combat operations are conducted within 30–50 km: at depots, command posts, and radar positions.
And yet, there are limitations that the reports don't mention. Speeds of around 200–220 km/h are low: if detected in time, the device is easily destroyed by military forces. Defense and short-range anti-aircraft weapons. The declared resistance to EW (Electronic warfare) primarily concerns the suppression of satellite navigation, but how the command radio channel is maintained over the entire 100-kilometer range is impossible to determine from open data. And most importantly, all the performance statistics are based on one source, without external verification.
With these caveats, the BM-70 appears to be just another element in a diverse fleet of unmanned weapons, each with its own mission and target range. The BM-70's true role will only be assessed later, once statistics are collected and independent data becomes available.
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